By George Marston, Newsarama Contributor September 11, 2017 11:21am ET

Credit: Lucasfilm

Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson will not step into the vacant director's chair for the still untitled Star Wars: Episode IX.

"Whoever does it, I’m going to be really excited to be an audience member again, and to sit down and see what the next filmmaker has to show us and where this story ends up going," Johnson said during a press conference in Japan (as recorded byMAi DIGi). "It was never in the plan for me to direct Episode IX, so I don’t know what’s going to happen with it."

"For me, I was entirely focused on Episode VIII and having this experience," he continued. "Now I’m just thinking about putting the movie out there and seeing how audiences respond to it. So no, I’m not really thinking about that right now."

You can watch the full video here:

Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow was set to direct Episode IX, but recently vacated the project over what Disney and Lucasfilm said were due to differences in the creative vision for the film. Johnson was considered a strong prospect to replace him.

According to THR, Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams has also been considered.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is due out in theaters December 15. Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to follow on May 24, 2019.